Air India cuts some international routes as fuel prices bite

Published May 13, 2026 Updated May 13, 2026 05:35pm

Air India has said it would reduce or cut several international routes over jet fuel price hikes and airspace restrictions due to conflict, AFP reports.

Air India did not give the total number of flights affected, but said it would suspend routes to Chicago, Shanghai, Male and Singapore from certain Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, between June and August.

The airline added that it would also cut the frequency of flights to San Francisco, Paris, Milan and Sydney.

Several factors have “significantly” impacted the commercial viability of some flights, the airline said in a statement.

“Despite the challenges and beyond these adjustments, Air India will continue to operate more than 1,200 international flights every month.” The Middle East war has proven to be the latest in a series of setbacks for the Indian carrier, whose chief executive resigned in April.

 The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, flies over Melbourne, Australia, on Dec 29, 2024, in this handout picture. — Ryan Zhang/via Reuters/File
The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, flies over Melbourne, Australia, on Dec 29, 2024, in this handout picture. — Ryan Zhang/via Reuters/File

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